The Skinny: My dentist sent me a survey after my last visit. I don't know why, but it seems tacky. It's not a gym or a restaurant. If I have a problem with the service, you'll know it. Monday's headlines include a new box-office champ, a big shakeup at Walt Disney Co. and Peter Chernin getting some new money.

Thinking like a winner. After four weekends on top, "The Hunger Games" was knocked out of first place by the romantic comedy "Think Like a Man," which took in $33 million in its debut weekend. "Man's" performance was much stronger than industry analysts predicted. Coming in second was "The Lucky One," a tear-jerker staring Zac Efron, which made almost $23 million. "The Hunger Games" fell to third, with $14.5 million. Box-office recaps from the Los Angeles Times and the Hollywood Reporter.

Daily Dose: One expects morning shows to be shills for their parent companies. Seldom does a day go by when NBC's "Today" isn't promoting some NBC program or Universal movie. But aren't the Sunday news magazines supposed to be more sacred? Maybe not. On Sunday, NBC's "Meet the Press" not only had "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, but it devoted a segment aimed at hyping the network's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The guest of honor was the Stanley Cup itself.

Photo: Peter Chernin. Credit: Scott Eells / Bloomberg

Chernin's new partner. Providence Equity Partners is investing $200 million for a large stake in the Chernin Group, the production company founded by former News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin. The cash infusion is to be used for acquisitions of media companies here and abroad. Providence Equity will also get seats on the board of the Chernin Group, while Chernin will become a senior advisor to the private equity firm. Details from the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

Ross out as boss. Last Friday (which is usually when companies release bad news), Walt Disney Co. said Rich Ross was out as head of its movie studio. Ross, who took the job in 2009 after a successful stint running Disney Channel, struggled with some big flops ("John Carter," "Prom") and had put executives in place who failed to win the confidence of Hollywood producers. Analysis of what went wrong for Ross from the Los Angeles Times, Deadline Hollywood and Variety. No replacement has been made, but I am available. I promise no $200 million write-downs like the one Disney said it'd take on "John Carter." Most of those who have seen the film loved it. Check this one to marketing and release date failures on the part of Disney.

The spreading scandal. British regulators are now investigating satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting, which is 39% owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. BSkyB has admitted to hacking into emails for stories but is trying to make the case that it was serving the public interest by using the hacking to expose wrongdoing. News Corp.'s British tabloids are already mired in an ethics scandal for phone hacking. More from Reuters.

Hot summer ahead. We're still a few weeks away from the official start of the summer movie season, but speculation has already started that it could be one of the biggest ever, thanks to "The Avengers" as well as new "Batman" and "Men in Black" movies. The Wrap with a summer preview.

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) and a fierce Bengal tiger named Richard Parker must rely on each other to survive an epic journey in the movie "Life of Pi." (Rhythm and Hues, 20th Century Fox / April 19, 2012)

Inside the Los Angeles Times: A preview of CinemaCon, the conference at which theater owners and Hollywood big shots get together to break bread.

About Me

Actor, Casting Director, Director, Broadcaster, Writer, Singer, Artistic
Director, Dramatur, Producer, Professor, Coach, Husband, Grandfather, Marketing
Professional and life long student Art Lynch joined the staff of John Robert
Powers in 1999. Lynch is also an adjunct professor at the Community College of
Southern Nevada, the Morning Edition Weekend Host for Nevada Public Radio and
one of 67 individuals who represent 126,000 actors as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Screen Actors Guild. He is the past president of the Nevada
Branch of the Screen Actors Guild and of the Professional Audio/Visual Communications
Association. A resident of Nevada since 1984, Lynch has an MA in Communications
from UNLV and a BA in Theater, Speech and Mass Communications from the
University of Illinois, Chicago. He is currently pursuing post-graduate studies
in theater, education and the entertainment industry. Art Lynch studied and
practiced the craft of acting in Chicago and California before settling in
Nevada. With his wife Laura, Art owned and operated a successful marketing
company with national clientele. Art was personally responsible for casting and
directing over 1,000 commercials and industrials, as well as assisting on film
and television projects in many ways. His career also includes earning awards
as a wire service, magazine and broadcast journalist. He is most proud,
however, of his daughters. Ann is a PhD in neuroscience and Beth is the proud
mother of his grandchildren, Evan and Elijah.

Short Film Festival

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